Fluid flow controller

ABSTRACT

Fluid control apparatus for selective flow switching of a pressurized fluid source. A manifold chamber having a fluid inlet port, also has a fluid outlet port defined by an annular wall with mouth extending into the manifold chamber. A control chamber, adjacent to the manifold chamber, has a control pressure port adapted to be connected to a control pressure source. A differentially pressure responsive elastomeric diaphram member sealingly separates and constitutes a common wall of the manifold chamber and control chamber, and is adapted to seat against the mouth of the annular wall, as to prevent fluid flow through the apparatus to the outlet port from the inlet port. There may also be included apparatus for selectively connecting the control pressure port of the fluid control apparatus in fluid circuit with the outlet port thereof, whereby a differential seating pressure upon the diaphram member is removed.

United States Patent Lale 1 1 FLUID FLOW CONTROLLER [76] Inventor:Walter G. Lale, 10215 Cord Ave.,

Downey, Calif. 90241 [22] Filed: Nov. 1, 1971 [2]] Appl. No.: 194,120

[52] U.S. Cl ..251/61.l, 235/201, 251/367, 137/624.18 [51] Int. Cl. Fl6r31/165 [58] Field of Search 137/85, 624.18; 251/6l.l, 367; 235/201 ME[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,648,716 3/1972 Joesting137/85 3,550,629 12/1970 Krcuter 235/201 ME Primary ExaminerAlan CohanAtt0rneyRolf M. Pitts 1 Jan. 1,1974

[57] ABSTRACT Fluid control apparatus for selective flow switching of apressurized fluid source. A manifold chamber having a fluid inlet port,also has a fluid outlet port defined by an annular wall with mouthextending into the manifold chamber. A control chamber, adjacent to themanifold chamber, has a control pressure port adapted to be connected toa control pressure source. A differentially pressure responsiveelastomeric diaphram member sealingly separates and constitutes a commonwall of the manifold chamber and control chamber, and is adapted to seatagainst the mouth of the annular wall, as to prevent fluid flow throughthe apparatus to the outlet port from the inlet port. There may also beincluded apparatus for selectively connecting the control pressure portof the fluid control apparatus in fluid circuit with the outlet portthereof, whereby a differential seating pressure upon the diaphrammember is removed.

2 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAN 1mm SHEET 1 [IF 3 INVENTOR. 144475? 6. LALE Aflaewa PATENTEDJAN' H 3.782.682

' I sum 2 or 3 INVENTOR. WAL 7'5? 6 1415 Arrow/5y PATENTEDJAN H 143.782.682

sum 3 OF '3 INVENTOR. W144 '5? 6. AALE l FLUID FLOW CONTROLLERBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The background art to which the subjectinvention most nearly relates is remotely operated valving means forturning-on or turning-off fluid flow such as a water sprinklerinstallation or the like, although the utility of the subject inventionis not restricted to such application.

In the prior art of automatically controlled valves, various valveswitching arrangements have been employed which are expensive tomanufacture and sell. Such arrangements have included.electromechanically operated valves or electromagnetically actuatedvalves which are expensive to construct and require electrical wiring tobe provided to each of such valves. Such installations may also bedangerous to employdue to the hazardous combination of a conventional110 volt source and the wet environment created by leaky valves andwater run-off.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION By means of the concept of the invention, theabovenoted shortcomings of the prior art are avoided and there isprovided control pressure-responsive fluid control apparatus forselective flow switching of a pressurized fluid source.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a manifoldchamber in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid inlet port andalso having a fluid outlet port definedby an annular wall extending intothe manifold chamber and having a mouth interior of the manifoldchamber. A control chamber adjacent to the manifold chamber has acontrol .pressure port adapted to be connected .in fluid circuit withacontrol pressure source. There is also provided a differentiallypressure-responsive diaphram sealingly separating and constituting acommon wall of the manifold and control chambers, the diaphram beingadapted to seat against the interior mouth of the annular wall.

In normal operation of the above-described arrangement, the diaphram isurged to seat against the interior mouth of the annular wall under adifferential pressure condition of the control chamber relative to themanifold chamber. Such differential pressure condition may be induced bythe application of a control pressure at the control pressure port by amaster pressure control unit. Thus, in such first state, fluid flowbetween the pressurized fluid input and the output port is blocked. Whenthe control pressure is removed from the control pressure port, thepressure state of the pressurized fluid applied to the manifold chamber,being substantially unresisted by a pressure state within the controlchamber, forces the diaphram off the mouth, thus allowing fluidcommunication between such pressurized fluid input port and such outletport.

Such switching fluid pressure may be remotely transmitted by a singlepressure line, as to avoid the necessity of electromagnetically actuatedvalves and associated electrical wiring provisions therefor. Furtherbecause such electro-magnetic actuation of the valves is avoided, theexpense of such actuation elements and the associated expense ofinsulating and water-proofrng such elements from the water valvesactuated thereby is avoided. Also avoided is the electrical hazardassociated with operation of an integral assembly of electromagneticactuator and water valve.

Accordingly, it is a broad object of the invention to provide improvedflow control switching means.

Another object of the invention is to provide low-cost and non-hazardousflow-control switching means.

A further object is to provide control pressureresponsive flow controlswitching means.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from thefollowing description, taken together with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of oneaspect of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical central section of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another aspect of the slave controlvalve concept of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a planview of a'master control timer valve, which may beemployed to control the device of FIGS. 4 and 5; and

FIG. 7 is .an elevation view in partial section of the device of FIG. 6.

In the figures, like reference characters refer to like parts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, thereis illustrated in perspective one aspect of the invention. There isprovided acontrol pressure responsive fluid flow control switchingdevice 10 having a pressurized fluid input port 11 and a fluid outputport 12. Interposed in fluid circuit between ports 11 and 12 is a fluidflow switch operated in response to a fluid control pressure applied toa fluid control port 13 and shown more particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3. Acontrol fluid return port 14 may also be provided, for allowing drainageof any control pressure fluid (from a master control unit) to outputport 12.

In normal operation of the device of FIG. 1, input port 11 is connectedto a source .of pressurized fluid or water and output port 12 isconnected to pressurized fluid utilization means such as a sprinklerline or the like, the flow of fluid between ports 11 and 12 beingcontrolled or switched by application or removal of a fluid controlpressure applied to control port 13.

The interior arrangement of the switching device of FIG. 1 is shown infuller detail in the exploded view of FIG. 2 and the central verticalsection of FIG. 3 as including a manifold chamber 15 in fluidcommunication with an input port 1 l and also having a fluid outlet port12 defined by an annular wall 16 extending into manifold chamber 15 andhaving a mouth 17 interior thereof. There is also provided a controlchamber 18 adjacent manifold chamber 15 and having a control pressureport 13 adapted to be connected in fluid circuit with a controlledpressure source. A differentially pressure-responsive elastomericdiaphram member 19 sealingly separates and constitutes a common wall of(between) manifold chamber 15 and control chamber 18. Diaphram member 19is arranged to seat against mouth 17 of annular wall 16 under adifferentially pressurized condition of control chamber 18 relative tomanifold'chamber 15.

As shown more particularly in FIG. 3, the device of FIGS. 1 and 2 may beformed of seven axially stacked sections 21-27 of substantially likeradial extent, adjacent sections thereof being sealingly bondedtogether. Such sections may be formed, cast or extruded from inexpensiveplastic materials. A first and seventh section 21 and 27 thereof beingpierced terminal sections, pierced sections 21 and 27 comprising arespective inlet port 11 and outlet port 12, pierced terminal section 27further including annular wall 16. Second and sixth sections 22 and 26interiorly axially adjacent first and seventh sections 21 and 27respectively, are constructed as relatively thin annular rings as toform intermediate chambers 30 and 31, enclosed by third and fifth axialsections 23 and 25 interiorly axially adjacent the second and sixthsections 22 and 26 respectively.

Fourth and fifth axial sections 24 and 25 are axially adjacent third andsixth sections 23 and 26 respectively, as well as mutually adjacent, andare formed as thick annular rings having an inside radial extent largerthan the outside radial extent of annular wall 16. A mutually adjacentend of the ring interiors of fourth and fifth sections 24 and 25 ischamfered to form an annular groove for restraining diaphram member 19.Fourth section 24 also encloses control chamber 18, fifth section 25enclosing manifold chamber 15. It is also to be noted that fourth axialsection 24 includes a radial passageway 28 in communication with andterminating at control chamber 18, which passageway 28 comprisespressure control port 13. The fluid circuit between input port 11 andmanifold chamber is connected by means of axial passageways or orifices33 in third, fourth and fifth sections 23, 24 and in mutual registry asto provide communication between intermediate chambers 30 and'31.

As seen more clearly in FIG. 2, in view of the rolled edge configurationof diaphram member 19, several pin-hole sized apertures 32 are providedfor communicating the static pressure of manifold chamber 15 to theunderside of that portion of diaphram member 19 sealing off controlchamber 18. In this way, diaphram member 19 is continuously subjected toa differential pressure condition, representing the difference betweenthe pressures of chambers 15 and 18, while the rolled edge or hollowvessel configuration of member 19 assures a good sealing fit when seatedupon mouth 17 of annual wall 16.

By application of a fluid pressure to pressure control port 13, diaphrammember 19 is caused to seat against mouth 17, thereby substantiallyblocking fluid flow to output port 12 from manifold chamber 15. Suchcontrol pressure need only be equal to the static pressure of thepressurized fluid input applied to input port 11. Upon removal of thecontrol pressure from pressure control port 13, the fluid pressure ofthe fluid contained in manifold chamber 15 urges diaphram 19 up (in theillustrated arrangement of FIG. 3), thereby allowing pressurized fluidto flow from input port 11 through intermediate chamber 30, thencethrough axial-orifices 33 to second intermediate chamber 31, and viamanifold chamber 15 past mouth 17 and exiting output port 12.

Although the device of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 has been described in terms ofseven axial sections, it is clear that the functions of several sectionsmay be combined and that a lesser number of axial sections may beemployed to construct the device, with further reductions in costs offabrication.

Accordingly, a control pressure-responsive, fluid control switch hasbeen described. Such device may be conveniently and inexpensivelyretrofied in any fluid system such as a sprinkler system in which asimple pressure-responsive control valve is desired. An automatic timerdevice for periodically applying and removing a control pressure may bemade to cooperate with the device in automatic sprinkler systems forprivate lawns, freeway landscaping, golf courses, municipal parks, andthe like. The device may be employed in many other pipeline controlapplications such as irrigation on farms, automatic stock watering infeedlot operations, automatic control of artesian wells, turning-onfire-fighting sprinkler systems.

Where the external portion of control port 13 may be a flexible tied-offpiece of tubing, entrapping a limited amount of incompressible fluid,such as water, in control chamber 18, the device of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 maybe made to operate as a manually-controlled valve by merely squeezing orpinching such external tubing, as to reduce the internal volume thereof,thereby applying a control pressure to control chamber 18.

Where a periodically operated valve switching function is sought for aplurality of sequentially operated valves, an integral assembly of aplurality of such valves may be provided by means of an embodimentcorresponding to the exemplary three-valve arrangement of FIGS. 4 and 5.FIG. 4 is an elevation of such threevalve arrangement by which threedevices of the type of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are embodied, while FIG. 5 is anexploded view of the arrangement of FIG. 4, showing in furtherparticularity the details of construction and arrangement of the deviceof FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated an exemplary three-valvedevice, built-up from laminated or bonded axial sections of plasticmaterial, the arrangement having a common input port 1 1; first, secondand third output ports 12, 112 and 212; and first, second and thirdpressure control ports, 13, 113 and 213. There may also be providedreturn drain or bleed line ports 14 for exhausting any leakage orbled-off fluid in the control of the pressurized fluid applied to thecontrol ports of the slave control valves by a master control unit suchas a timer operated device or the like.

The exploded view of FIG. 5, of the multiple valve device in FIG. 4,corresponds to that of FIG. 2 for the single valve device, andillustrates three principal axial sections, a first terminal section121, a central section 128, and a second terminal section 127. Firstterminal section 121 includes three equiangularly-spaced bores or likechambers 18, 118 and 218, each representing a control chamber for aseparate one of the three control valves of the multiple valve integralassembly of FIGS. 4 and 5, and corresponding to control chamber 18 ofFIG. 3. Each control chamber has a control pressure port, port 13 forchamber 18 being clearly visible in FIGS. 4 and 5 and corrsponding toport 13 in the single valve arrangement of FIG. 3.

Intermediate axial element 128, as shown in FIG. 5, includes three likebores or chambers 15, 1 15 and 215, similarly spaced as control chambers18, 118 and 218 of first terminal element 121 and arranged in registrywith respective chambers thereof. Chambers 15, and 215 corresponding tomanifold chamber 15 of FIG. 3. Element 128 further includes a radialarray of mutually interconnecting channels or orifices 33, 133 and 233,the radial extremities of which channels intersect a respective one ofmanifold chambers 15, 115 and 215. Also provided in the arrangement ofFIG. 5 are three elastomeric diaphram members 19, 119 and 219 forsealingly separating and constituting a common wall for a respective oneof sets of adjacent chambers and 18, 115 and 118, and 215 and 218, uponthe inregistry axial bonding of axial sections 121 and 128. Elements 19,119 and 219 in FIG. 5 correspond to element 19 of FIG. 3.

Second terminal axial section 127 in FIG. 5 includes three output ports12, 1 12 and 212, each compassed by an annular wall 16 axially extendinginto a respective one of manifold chambers 15, 115 and 215. As shown inFIG. 4, the mouth 17 of annular wall 16 forms a seat for elastomericdiaphram member 19, corresponding to the like cooperation of such likereferenced elements in FIG. 3. Axial element 127 also includes a singlecommon pressurized fluid input port 11, axially extending and centrallylocated as to communicate with radially arrayed channels 33, 133 and 233of axial element 128. Also included in the arrangement of FIGS. 4 and 5is an annular groove 34 located in the interior face of second terminalaxial element 127 and externally concentric of chambers 15, 115 and 215and in communication with external port 14 and also connected to each ofoutlet ports 12, 112 and 212 by means of a respective orifice 35. Sucharrangement corresponds to the illustrated cooperation of port 14 inFIG. 3 for discharging exhausted or leaked control fluids from aremotely located master control unit, used for application of controlpressures to control pressure ports 13, I13 and 213 in FIGS. 4 and 5.

In normal operation of the device of FIGS. 4 and 5,

a fluid control pressure applied to a pressure control port 13 seatsdiaphram 19 against mouth 17 of annular wall 16, as to prevent any fluiddischarge therethrough to output port 12. Upon the removal of suchcontrol pressure from port 13, the pressure of a pressurized fluidsource, applied to input port 11, is communicated through orifice 33 (inFIG. 4) to manifold chamber 15 and the underside of the annularperiphery of diaphram l9, urging an upward deflection of diaphragm as todisplace the seating thereof over the mouth 17 of annular ring 16. Suchunseating of diaphram 19 allows the pressurized fluid in manifoldchamber 15 to escape via annular member 16 to outlet port 12. There-application of a control pressure to port 13 would again reseatdiaphram 19 upon mouth 17, thereby cutting off fluid flow from inputport 11 to output port 12.

- The devices of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 operate with a positiveswitching, or snap, action upon the occurence of the slightest forcedifferential across diaphram 19, due to the differential areas uponwhich the fluid pressures act. For example, when in the switched-off orvalve-off state of the valve, it is to be appreciated that while thecontrol pressure applied at port 13 acts upon the entire upper surfaceof diaphram 19, the pressure of the pressurized fluid in manifold 15 isacting only upon that portion of the lower surface of diaphram 19 whichis externally concentric of valve seat 17. Thus, like pressures in bothmanifold chamber15 and control chamber 18 results in an affirmativedifferentially downward or seating force upon diaphram 19 in thequiescent valve-shut state.

However, where the control pressure in control chamber 18 is slightlyrelieved, to where the force exerted by such pressure upon the totalupper diaphram area is less than that force exerted by the manifoldpressure upon the annular partial underside area of diaphram 19, as tounseat and deflect diaphram 19 upward, the fluid escaping from manifoldchamber 15 then communicates fluid pressure to the central area ofdiaphram 19 as to increase the total unseating force, therebyaccelerating completion of the unseating action and affirmativelysustaining the valve-open state.

The valves of the integral multiple valve assembly of FIGS. 4 and 5 or aplurality of valves of the configuration of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 may becontrolled as slave valves sequentially by a master clock-driven devicefor selectively applying a control pressure to the control pressureports of selected one of such valves. Such timer may include an integralassembly of a plurality of valves similar to, say, the basic design ofFIGS. 4 and 5 with certain modifications or additional design featuresand preferably employing the same pressurized fluid source therefor as aswitching control pressure source. In such an arrangement, no valve seatand diaphram are employed, corresponding to elements 17 and 19. Instead,cam-switched orifices (or springloaded needle valves, for example) areemployed. As shown in FIG. 7, the application of a pressurized source toa common input port (not shown in FIG. 7, but corresponding to port 11in FIG. 5) is communicated by means well understood to each of aplurality of valve chambers 315, which may house a spring-loaded needlevalve 60 or the like. Such needle valve controls the alternateapplication and bleeding of fluid pressure to a small line (via manifoldchamber 513) to the control port 13 of an associated slave valve (in sayFIG. 4). Valve stem 59 of needle valve 60 is operated by a sealed andspring-loaded mechanical toggle 64, pivoted about point 61 by theapplication of a horizontal (or tangential) force applied at shoulder 62by a motordriven rotating cam 63.

Shoulder 62 of the mechanical toggle 64 is detentably rotatablyadjustable to discrete ones of alternative positions which presentdifferent angular extents to cam 63, whereby the duty cycle of a givenvalve may be selected, as may be more clearly appreciated from FIG. 6.Rotation of cam 63 sequentially operates each of successive ones oftoggles 64 and an associated set of master and slave valves. Port 414(in FIG. 7) may be employed to communicate leakage or bleed fluid todrain port 14 of the slave valve assemblies of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Although the slave valve arrangement of FIGS. 4 and 5 has been describedas useful in a switchable fluid transfer function, sequentiallycontrolled by the timermaster valve arrangement of FIGS. 6 and 7, theconcept of such device is not so limited. It is contemplated that suchslave valve arrangement may be used as a controlled jet stream source,the jet provided by each valve unit being radially oriented as to beequiangularly disposed in a common (say, horizontal) plane as to beuseful in the maneuvering of a marine vessel or the like. Also, themaster valve assembly for control Although a pinhole aperture has beenillustrated in diaphram 19 to communicate fluid pressure to the controlchamber 18 (as to allow the filling thereof after dumping or bleeding),such pinhole need not be located in diaphram 19, but alternatively maybe located to communicate between an intermediate chamber of pressurizedfluid and control chamber 18.

Where desirable, dynamic damping means may be incorporated into thedesign of diaphram element 19. Such damping means may be desired, forexample, in installations in which the fluid source may be particularlysubject to hydraulic pounding in responsive to valve operation or wherethe pressure control line or control orifice sufficiently restricts theescape of control fluid (in a valve open mode), whereby valve chattermay be induced. Such damping means may be comprised of an orificecentrally located in diaphram 19 and means for constraining a nonelastic plunger within the control chamber above the diaphram, the forceof gravity tending to maintain the plunger seated against and blockingsuch central orifice. In this way, any tendency toward sharp hydraulicvibration will lift the inelastic plunger from its seated position,while the tendency of fluid flow through such orifice or the undulatingmotion of the diaphram through the fluid medium in response to suchhydraulic vibration, will not intercouple such hydraulic vibration andcontrol pressure. In other words, chattering and destructive feedback ofhydraulic vibration tends to be damped, if not avoided. Also, suchstructural modification thus allows longer control line lengths orremote distances to be operably utilized between the master and slavestations.

Accordingly, there has been described a highly useful,pressure-responsive valve that is economical to manufacture and safe touse Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail,it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustrationand exmple only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spiritand scope of this invention being limited only by the terms of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. Monostable fluid control apparatus for selective flow switching of apressurized fluid source, comprising an enclosed first chamber having afirst radial extent and first and second enclosed axial ends,

an exit port at said first axial end of said first chamber and formed ofan annular wall extending axially into said first chamber and of alesser second radial extent than said first radial extent, controlpressure port in fluid communication with said first chamber via saidsecond axial end of said chamber,

a single differential pressure-responsive elastomeric diaphram memberhaving a third radial extent at least as co-extensive as the radialextent of said first chamber and axially restrained therein adjacent tothe axial extent of said interiorly extending annular wall by means ofannular groove within said first chamber as to sealingly divide saidfirst chamber into a control chamber which includes said controlpressure port, and a valve manifold which includes said exit port, afirst face of said diaphram member adapted to sealingly seat upon amoutn of said annular wall,

a pressurized fluid inlet port in fluid communication with said firstface of said diaphram member,

said communicating inlet port, said outlet port, and said differentialpressure-responsive diaphram member cooperating in the manner of a fluidcontrol valve, a shut-off mode thereof being induced in response to afluid control pressure applied to said control pressure port;

said monostable fluid control apparatus being formed of seven stackedaxial sections of substantially like radial extent, adjacent sectionsthereof sealingly bonded together,

a first and seventh section thereof forming a respective first andsecond pierced terminal section, said pierced first and second terminalsections comprising a respective pressurized fluid inlet port and outletport, said second pierced terminal section including an axiallyextending annular wall having a mouth in communication with said outletport,

a second and sixth section interiorly axially adjacent to said first andseventh sections respectively and being relatively thin wall annularrings as to form first and second intermediate chambers respectively,said first chamber being completed and enclosed by a third sectioninteriorly axially adjacent to said second section, said second chamberbeing enclosed by the body of said stacked axial sections in cooperationwith said diaphram member a fourth and said fifth section axiallyadjacent to said third and sixth sections respectively and mutuallyadjacent and formed as thick annular rings having an inside radialextent larger than the outside radial extent of said annular wall, amutually adjacent end of the ring interiors of said fourth and fifthsections being chamfered to form an annular groove for restraining saiddiaphram member, said fourth section enclosing said control chamber andsaid fifth section enclosing said valve manifold,

said fourth axial section including a radial passageway extending intosaid control chamber and comprising said control pressure port.

2. Monostable fluid control apparatus for selective flow switching of apressurized fluid source, comprising an enclosed first chamber having afirst radial extent and first and second enclosed axial ends,

an exit port at said first axial end of said first chamber and formed ofan annular wall extending axially into said first chamber and of alesser second radial extent than said first radial extent,

control pressure port in fluid communication with said first chamber viasaid second axial end of said chamber,

a single differential pressure-responsive elastomeric diaphram memberhaving a third radial extent at least as co-extensive as the radialextent of said first chamber and axially restrained therein adjacent tothe axial extent of said interiorly extending annular wall by means ofan annular groove within said first chamber as to sealingly divide saidfirst chamber into a control chamber which includes said controlpressure port, and a valve manifold which includes said exit port, afirst face of said diaphram member adapted to sealingly seat upon amouth of said annular wall,

a pressurized fluid inlet port in fluid communication with said firstface of said diaphram member,

said communicating inlet port, said outlet port, and said differentialpressure-responsive diaphram member cooperating in the manner of a fluidcontrol valve, a shut-off mode thereof being induced in response to afluid control pressure applied to said control pressure port;

said monostable fluid control apparatus being formed of seven stackedaxial sections of substantially like radial extent, adjacent sectionsthereof sealingly bonded together,

a first and seventh section thereof forming a respective first andsecond pierced terminal section, said pierced first and second terminalsections comprising a respective pressurized fluid inlet port and outletport, said second pierced terminal section including an axiallyextending annular wall having a mouth in communication with said outletport,

a second and sixth section interiorly axially adjacent to said first andseventh sections respectively and being relatively thin wall annularrings as to form first and second intermediate chambers respectively,said first chamber being completed and enclosed by a third sectioninteriorly axially adjacent to said second section, said second chamberbeing enclosed by the body of said stacked axial sections in cooperationwith said diaphram member a fourth and said fifth section axiallyadjacent to said third and sixth sections respectively and mutuallyadjacent and formed as thick annular rings having an inside radialextent larger than the outside radiant extent of said annular wall, amutually adjacent end of the ring interiors of said fourth and fifthsections being chamfered to form an annular groove for restraining saiddiaphram member, said fourth section enclosing said control chamber andsaid fifth section enclosing said valve manifold,

said fourth axial section including a radial passageway extending intosaid control chamber and comprising said control pressure port,

said third, fourth and fifth sections including orifices in mutualregistry as to provide communication between said intermediate chambers.

1. Monostable fluid control apparatus for selective flow switchiNg of apressurized fluid source, comprising an enclosed first chamber having afirst radial extent and first and second enclosed axial ends, an exitport at said first axial end of said first chamber and formed of anannular wall extending axially into said first chamber and of a lessersecond radial extent than said first radial extent, a control pressureport in fluid communication with said first chamber via said secondaxial end of said chamber, a single differential pressure-responsiveelastomeric diaphram member having a third radial extent at least asco-extensive as the radial extent of said first chamber and axiallyrestrained therein adjacent to the axial extent of said interiorlyextending annular wall by means of an annular groove within said firstchamber as to sealingly divide said first chamber into a control chamberwhich includes said control pressure port, and a valve manifold whichincludes said exit port, a first face of said diaphram member adapted tosealingly seat upon a mouth of said annular wall, a pressurized fluidinlet port in fluid communication with said first face of said diaphrammember, said communicating inlet port, said outlet port, and saiddifferential pressure-responsive diaphram member cooperating in themanner of a fluid control valve, a shut-off mode thereof being inducedin response to a fluid control pressure applied to said control pressureport; said monostable fluid control apparatus being formed of sevenstacked axial sections of substantially like radial extent, adjacentsections thereof sealingly bonded together, a first and seventh sectionthereof forming a respective first and second pierced terminal section,said pierced first and second terminal sections comprising a respectivepressurized fluid inlet port and outlet port, said second piercedterminal section including an axially extending annular wall having amouth in communication with said outlet port, a second and sixth sectioninteriorly axially adjacent to said first and seventh sectionsrespectively and being relatively thin wall annular rings as to formfirst and second intermediate chambers respectively, said first chamberbeing completed and enclosed by a third section interiorly axiallyadjacent to said second section, said second chamber being enclosed bythe body of said stacked axial sections in cooperation with saiddiaphram member a fourth and said fifth section axially adjacent to saidthird and sixth sections respectively and mutually adjacent and formedas thick annular rings having an inside radial extent larger than theoutside radial extent of said annular wall, a mutually adjacent end ofthe ring interiors of said fourth and fifth sections being chamfered toform an annular groove for restraining said diaphram member, said fourthsection enclosing said control chamber and said fifth section enclosingsaid valve manifold, said fourth axial section including a radialpassageway extending into said control chamber and comprising saidcontrol pressure port.
 2. Monostable fluid control apparatus forselective flow switching of a pressurized fluid source, comprising anenclosed first chamber having a first radial extent and first and secondenclosed axial ends, an exit port at said first axial end of said firstchamber and formed of an annular wall extending axially into said firstchamber and of a lesser second radial extent than said first radialextent, a control pressure port in fluid communication with said firstchamber via said second axial end of said chamber, a single differentialpressure-responsive elastomeric diaphram member having a third radialextent at least as co-extensive as the radial extent of said firstchamber and axially restrained therein adjacent to the axial extent ofsaid interiorly extending annular wall by means of an annular groovewithin said first chamber as to sealingly divide said first chamber intoa control chamber which includes said coNtrol pressure port, and a valvemanifold which includes said exit port, a first face of said diaphrammember adapted to sealingly seat upon a mouth of said annular wall, apressurized fluid inlet port in fluid communication with said first faceof said diaphram member, said communicating inlet port, said outletport, and said differential pressure-responsive diaphram membercooperating in the manner of a fluid control valve, a shut-off modethereof being induced in response to a fluid control pressure applied tosaid control pressure port; said monostable fluid control apparatusbeing formed of seven stacked axial sections of substantially likeradial extent, adjacent sections thereof sealingly bonded together, afirst and seventh section thereof forming a respective first and secondpierced terminal section, said pierced first and second terminalsections comprising a respective pressurized fluid inlet port and outletport, said second pierced terminal section including an axiallyextending annular wall having a mouth in communication with said outletport, a second and sixth section interiorly axially adjacent to saidfirst and seventh sections respectively and being relatively thin wallannular rings as to form first and second intermediate chambersrespectively, said first chamber being completed and enclosed by a thirdsection interiorly axially adjacent to said second section, said secondchamber being enclosed by the body of said stacked axial sections incooperation with said diaphram member a fourth and said fifth sectionaxially adjacent to said third and sixth sections respectively andmutually adjacent and formed as thick annular rings having an insideradial extent larger than the outside radiant extent of said annularwall, a mutually adjacent end of the ring interiors of said fourth andfifth sections being chamfered to form an annular groove for restrainingsaid diaphram member, said fourth section enclosing said control chamberand said fifth section enclosing said valve manifold, said fourth axialsection including a radial passageway extending into said controlchamber and comprising said control pressure port, said third, fourthand fifth sections including orifices in mutual registry as to providecommunication between said intermediate chambers.